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Volt, Model S, F-150 Compete for Greenest Car of the Decade

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It used to be that, when you heard the words “green car,” the first thought that came to your mind would likely be the Toyota Prius. That’s not the case so much anymore, as the green car market has widely expanded and automakers across the globe offer hybrids, EVs, plug-ins, diesels, hydrogen fuel cells, and more.

But which one is the absolute greenest (in its respective class, at least)? That’s what the good folks at Green Car Reports are trying to figure out: the most important vehicle of the decade, or, in plainer terms, the greenest car of the decade. Vying for the distinction are the Chevy Volt, the Tesla Model S, and the Ford F-150.

Volt, Model S, F-150 Compete for Greenest Car of the Decade

Ford F-150

The F-150 is on the list because, well, let’s face it: people love trucks. While green extremists might call for their demise, most reasonable eco-friendly drivers understand that trucks are necessary for some people, and that other people are too stubborn to stop driving trucks. Thus, making pickups as efficient as possible is still important, and that’s what Ford has done by adding aluminum to the body of the F-150 for 2015.

But let’s be honest—the real competition is between the Tesla Model S and the Chevy Volt. While the Model S is gorgeous, it’s also incredibly expensive. The Volt, on the other hand, is more affordable, which is the aim of green car technology: making it cheap enough that everyone will get on board, eventually.

Volt, Model S, F-150 Compete for Greenest Car of the Decade

Chevy Volt

The Volt also does away with the range anxiety that the Model S creates, since it’s an extended range electric vehicle with a gas-powered motor. It’s also more convenient, in that, if you’ve got somewhere to go, and fast, you can rely on the gasoline engine. With the Tesla Model S, you’re just SOL if you car isn’t charged.

Volt, Model S, F-150 Compete for Greenest Car of the Decade

Tesla Model S

Ultimately, we don’t get to decide the greenest car of the decade. That’s on Green Car Reports, and the folks there know what they’re doing. But if we had to pick one of the three competing cars, we’d have to go with the Chevy Volt, because it’s practical, cheap, and still efficient.

Which would you choose?